Sturdy yet nimble
Five strive to stay alive
Whilst being used through waves of shock
Twisting and turning through stretches of meat and bone
These ring-bearers seize and tease through liquid and solid
Claiming whatever they please, aiming for tame objects, not wanting to be harmed during the process
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Boast
I, Alexandra Juneau,
Descendant of the Boudreaux’s, Cajuns of Louisiana,
Have come far in thy life, achieving many a things.
Thy hobbies consist of reading leather-bound sheets,
Practicing thy skills in soccer and volleyball, and
Solving riddles and puzzles, to name a few.
The aforementioned are what I do best, not well with the rest.
Yet with this, thy strengths have not wavered.
Thus the loyalty thy have always partaken in still exists,
Nothing can take that away, nor can thy determination or
Skillfulness be diverted from thy presence and soul.
For these are mine to keep and nothing will change that.
In yet a few months, I will be walking across that stage,
In cap and gown, receiving what I’ve strived for for so many years,
This is what kept thy head held high when all it wanted to do was
Hang low, in a sense of failure and defeat.
The end is nearing, yet a new beginning is coming.
This is what it all comes down to.
The future, reality, I’m ready for it now.
Bring it.
Descendant of the Boudreaux’s, Cajuns of Louisiana,
Have come far in thy life, achieving many a things.
Thy hobbies consist of reading leather-bound sheets,
Practicing thy skills in soccer and volleyball, and
Solving riddles and puzzles, to name a few.
The aforementioned are what I do best, not well with the rest.
Yet with this, thy strengths have not wavered.
Thus the loyalty thy have always partaken in still exists,
Nothing can take that away, nor can thy determination or
Skillfulness be diverted from thy presence and soul.
For these are mine to keep and nothing will change that.
In yet a few months, I will be walking across that stage,
In cap and gown, receiving what I’ve strived for for so many years,
This is what kept thy head held high when all it wanted to do was
Hang low, in a sense of failure and defeat.
The end is nearing, yet a new beginning is coming.
This is what it all comes down to.
The future, reality, I’m ready for it now.
Bring it.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Spiderman is one of the most commonly named heroes. Twisting webs, climbing walls, fighting crime, and saving people are what he’s best known for. Spiderman has to be able to transform from a regular hardworking person to a superhero on the dot. At the same time he must keep his identity secret to all those villains out there who would be so willing to defeat him, the same villains he’s protecting his city from. His typical villain-fighting suit covers his entire body in blue and red colors with a depiction of a spider on a web on his chest. The spider-bite he received from the radioactive spider while on a field trip gave him supernatural powers. These powers, web-twisting and wall-climbing, are what give him the advantage.
Spiderman worked for the good side, protecting his city and loved ones. He decided to use these powers to fight evil because he lost his uncle due to a robbery. The burglar shot him and took his car, leaving Spiderman’s uncle to die. This is what mainly brought Spiderman to fight against evil, felling that nobody should have to go through what he did because some burglar or robber needs some cash. Spiderman represents justice and courage. A true hero.
Spiderman worked for the good side, protecting his city and loved ones. He decided to use these powers to fight evil because he lost his uncle due to a robbery. The burglar shot him and took his car, leaving Spiderman’s uncle to die. This is what mainly brought Spiderman to fight against evil, felling that nobody should have to go through what he did because some burglar or robber needs some cash. Spiderman represents justice and courage. A true hero.
Beowulf is the archetype of the dragon slayer, the hero who faces death in order to save a threatened community. Does Beowulf remind you of any heroes in real life, in fiction, or in the movies today? What characteristics do the heroes share?
If anything, Beowulf reminds me of firefighters. They risk their lives everyday in order to make sure their communities are as safe as possible from fires, fire hazards, and more. They don’t expect anything in return for their heroic acts, just the knowledge that they were able to save a life or stop a fire from spreading and creating more damage. Both Beowulf and firefighters share heroism, courage, and stealth. Without these, neither could do what they set out to do. It’s these kinds of people that make our communities a better and safer living environment. It’s these people that we owe thanks to.
If anything, Beowulf reminds me of firefighters. They risk their lives everyday in order to make sure their communities are as safe as possible from fires, fire hazards, and more. They don’t expect anything in return for their heroic acts, just the knowledge that they were able to save a life or stop a fire from spreading and creating more damage. Both Beowulf and firefighters share heroism, courage, and stealth. Without these, neither could do what they set out to do. It’s these kinds of people that make our communities a better and safer living environment. It’s these people that we owe thanks to.
The epic closes on a somber, elegiac note—a note of mourning. What words or images contribute to this tone?
The epic does close on a note of mourning. Some images that contributed to this tone were when the warriors of Beowulf cremated his body and placed him and his treasure in a tomb as he said he wanted. They rode around his tomb on horses, distraught and in mourning, for their great King had died, a man who could protect them from any beast out there. A man who wasn’t scared of anything, and faced danger with bravery. These same twelve warriors also mentioned that “of all the kings upon the Earth he was the man most gracious and fair-minded, kindest to his people and keenest to win fame.” Everyone will miss their noble King, who was kind to his people and kept them safe.
The epic does close on a note of mourning. Some images that contributed to this tone were when the warriors of Beowulf cremated his body and placed him and his treasure in a tomb as he said he wanted. They rode around his tomb on horses, distraught and in mourning, for their great King had died, a man who could protect them from any beast out there. A man who wasn’t scared of anything, and faced danger with bravery. These same twelve warriors also mentioned that “of all the kings upon the Earth he was the man most gracious and fair-minded, kindest to his people and keenest to win fame.” Everyone will miss their noble King, who was kind to his people and kept them safe.
Epic poetry usually embodies the attitudes and ideals of an entire culture. What values of Anglo-Saxon society does Beowulf reveal? What universal themes does it also reveal? Use specific examples from the
poem to support your answer.
Some of the values of Anglo-Saxon society that Beowulf reveals are trust, honor, loyalty, bravery, and generosity. In the epic Beowulf, these values are shown throughout the poem. In the beginning of the epic, after Herot gets attacked by the ferocious beast, Grendel, Beowulf hears of this and wants to help his friend, Hrothgar, out. Even though Beowulf has seen what Grendel is capable of, Beowulf sticks to his word and combats against Grendel, coming out victorious. Beowulf did not have to travel all the way to Herot to fight this beast, but he did it out of generosity, and it also didn’t hurt that he’s a fame-seeker.
poem to support your answer.
Some of the values of Anglo-Saxon society that Beowulf reveals are trust, honor, loyalty, bravery, and generosity. In the epic Beowulf, these values are shown throughout the poem. In the beginning of the epic, after Herot gets attacked by the ferocious beast, Grendel, Beowulf hears of this and wants to help his friend, Hrothgar, out. Even though Beowulf has seen what Grendel is capable of, Beowulf sticks to his word and combats against Grendel, coming out victorious. Beowulf did not have to travel all the way to Herot to fight this beast, but he did it out of generosity, and it also didn’t hurt that he’s a fame-seeker.
In an essay analyze the monster Grendel, focusing on the character’s nature. Begin your character analysis of the monster with a sentence stating your general assessment of Grendel as a character. Then, support your assessment with details from the epic. Before you write, organize your details in a chart like the following one:
Grendel seems to me to be a monster who only wants one thing, food. He doesn’t care how much destruction it’ll cause, as long as his belly’s full. In the beginning of the poem, it tells how deep in the marshes a monster, Grendel, can’t take the noise of all the drunken people in Herot celebrating and cheering. Finally, the noise subsides, and Grendel, planning on getting his revenge, races to the mead hall in Herot, going on a rampage and feasting on all the people, fast asleep, unknowing of his approach.
Grendel used his claws to rip people apart, either devouring them or dragging their limp bodies back to his den. The only person he would not touch was Hrothgar, for he feared that God would punish him greatly if he killed the King. So, yes Grendel was a monster, yet he still had some morals, even if only because he was fearful.
Grendel seems to me to be a monster who only wants one thing, food. He doesn’t care how much destruction it’ll cause, as long as his belly’s full. In the beginning of the poem, it tells how deep in the marshes a monster, Grendel, can’t take the noise of all the drunken people in Herot celebrating and cheering. Finally, the noise subsides, and Grendel, planning on getting his revenge, races to the mead hall in Herot, going on a rampage and feasting on all the people, fast asleep, unknowing of his approach.
Grendel used his claws to rip people apart, either devouring them or dragging their limp bodies back to his den. The only person he would not touch was Hrothgar, for he feared that God would punish him greatly if he killed the King. So, yes Grendel was a monster, yet he still had some morals, even if only because he was fearful.
In a brief essay, describe Grendel’s mother. Base your description on the details you find in the text, and add details of your own. Tell what she looked like, how her voice sounded, how she smelled, how she walked. Describe what she ate and how she passed her time. Use as many sensory details as you can: You want your readers to feel they are meeting the monster face to face. How do you want our readers to feel about the monster? Do you want horror, or are you interested in making her somewhat sympathetic? The words you choose will make the difference.
Grendel’s mother is first described in the epic as a greedy she-wolf. She was the ruler of her underground lair of hell, the mighty sea-witch. She looked almost like a mermaid, beautiful and elegant, yet when she smiled, fangs protruded from her luscious lips. Her fingernails were that of razor-sharp claws, awaiting his welcome. Not to mention she was two times his size. Her skin was tough and scaly, like that of a dragon’s, coralish in color. You could say she’s like a female praying mantis, luring her prey in with her beauty, having fun with them, then ripping their heads off, for she has no more use for them, except for maybe as food.
Grendel’s mother is first described in the epic as a greedy she-wolf. She was the ruler of her underground lair of hell, the mighty sea-witch. She looked almost like a mermaid, beautiful and elegant, yet when she smiled, fangs protruded from her luscious lips. Her fingernails were that of razor-sharp claws, awaiting his welcome. Not to mention she was two times his size. Her skin was tough and scaly, like that of a dragon’s, coralish in color. You could say she’s like a female praying mantis, luring her prey in with her beauty, having fun with them, then ripping their heads off, for she has no more use for them, except for maybe as food.
Certain motifs, or recurring ideas, such as the journey, exile, and fate, appear frequently in many Anglo-Saxon works. What recurrent motifs have you found in the three works? Cite evidence in the text to support your answers.
In “The Seafarer”, fate was a recurring motif. Part of the text states that ‘No man has ever faced the dawn/Certain which of Fate’s three threats/Would fall: illness, or age, or an enemy’s/Sword, snatching the life from his soul. This piece also depicts this seafarer’s journey across the world. In the first work by Bede, Caedmon’s fate isn’t negative. God gives him the gift of being able to read anything good, like the Bible, and turn it into a melody; a melody with no profanity, just pleasant notes. In “The Wife’s Lament”, Fate and exile are motifs mentioned. The Wife is exiled when her husband, the lord, has to leave, due to the kinsmen who secretly plotted to break them up. She’s forced to leave her abode and live in the forest’s grove once he leaves. Yet her husband doesn’t know anything about this, he thinks his wife is tucked safely away in her home.
In “The Seafarer”, fate was a recurring motif. Part of the text states that ‘No man has ever faced the dawn/Certain which of Fate’s three threats/Would fall: illness, or age, or an enemy’s/Sword, snatching the life from his soul. This piece also depicts this seafarer’s journey across the world. In the first work by Bede, Caedmon’s fate isn’t negative. God gives him the gift of being able to read anything good, like the Bible, and turn it into a melody; a melody with no profanity, just pleasant notes. In “The Wife’s Lament”, Fate and exile are motifs mentioned. The Wife is exiled when her husband, the lord, has to leave, due to the kinsmen who secretly plotted to break them up. She’s forced to leave her abode and live in the forest’s grove once he leaves. Yet her husband doesn’t know anything about this, he thinks his wife is tucked safely away in her home.
Compare the elegies “The Seafarer” and “The Wife’s Lament.” Discuss the personal experience each poem presents and the speaker’s attitude toward the experience. What similarities and differences do you find?
In “The Seafarer”, this old sailor has spent many a winters on the seas. In my opinion, it seems as though he goes out to sea to think things over. Also, it seems lik he doesn’t want to take the easy way out, but do things the hard way, not for pleasure and fun, but for the better. In “The Wife’s Lament”, the wife of a husband gets exiled from her tribe as soon as her husband, ‘the leader’, gets called off to fight. They shove her into the forest in a little burrow. Now that her husband’s gone, they pretty much do what they please with her. Some similarities between the two elegies are that they’re both set in a sorrowful and mournful tone. Also, both speak of God and how He controls the Earth. Some differences are that the first elegy tells of a tale of a ‘lost’ man who’s unsure of what he wants to do, whereas the other elegy tells of a woman who is succumbed to exile without the aid of her husband.
In “The Seafarer”, this old sailor has spent many a winters on the seas. In my opinion, it seems as though he goes out to sea to think things over. Also, it seems lik he doesn’t want to take the easy way out, but do things the hard way, not for pleasure and fun, but for the better. In “The Wife’s Lament”, the wife of a husband gets exiled from her tribe as soon as her husband, ‘the leader’, gets called off to fight. They shove her into the forest in a little burrow. Now that her husband’s gone, they pretty much do what they please with her. Some similarities between the two elegies are that they’re both set in a sorrowful and mournful tone. Also, both speak of God and how He controls the Earth. Some differences are that the first elegy tells of a tale of a ‘lost’ man who’s unsure of what he wants to do, whereas the other elegy tells of a woman who is succumbed to exile without the aid of her husband.
The most important bond in Anglo-Saxon society was that between a lord and his retainers. How do “The Seafarer” and “The Wife’s Lament” reveal the Anglo-Saxon ideal of loyalty and the tragedy of separation or exile from one’s lord?
In “The Wife’s Lament”, the lord feels that he can trust his retainers, or kinsmen, with his wife and estate. All the while, these same kinsmen are plotting against him and his wife, to separate them and wreak havoc. Upon the lord’s departure, they begin their havoc, making the wife live a life of torture and poverty. So, you can see how exile happens when the lord leaves, even if it’s not natural, but more forced. In “The Seafarer”, the sailor is sailing the seven seas for his lord, fighting against enemies, all the while staying exiled on a boat, cramped and cold. Yet he’s staying true and loyal to his lord, bearing it all, just so that his lord will stay happy and safe.
In “The Wife’s Lament”, the lord feels that he can trust his retainers, or kinsmen, with his wife and estate. All the while, these same kinsmen are plotting against him and his wife, to separate them and wreak havoc. Upon the lord’s departure, they begin their havoc, making the wife live a life of torture and poverty. So, you can see how exile happens when the lord leaves, even if it’s not natural, but more forced. In “The Seafarer”, the sailor is sailing the seven seas for his lord, fighting against enemies, all the while staying exiled on a boat, cramped and cold. Yet he’s staying true and loyal to his lord, bearing it all, just so that his lord will stay happy and safe.
What literary elements do the lines of Caedmon’s Hymn have in common with the poetry of Beowulf? In your comparison, consider the use of alliteration – the repetition of consonant sounds in words that are close to one another – and the words or phrases the poet chooses to praise God. Cite passages from both works to support your response.
In both pieces, they use the same Saxon tone. They both use kennings in the text to describe something without actually using the exact word. Also, alliteration is used occasionally, to give the same feel to a whole line or stanza. Also, Saxons were very religious and would use God and also Greek Gods in their epics. In Caedmon’s Hymn, he says, ‘Praise we the Fashioner now of Heaven’s fabric,/the majesty of his might and his mind’s wisdom,/…/How he the Lord of Glory everlasting,/… He’s praising God and all of his well-doings for us as a whole.
In both pieces, they use the same Saxon tone. They both use kennings in the text to describe something without actually using the exact word. Also, alliteration is used occasionally, to give the same feel to a whole line or stanza. Also, Saxons were very religious and would use God and also Greek Gods in their epics. In Caedmon’s Hymn, he says, ‘Praise we the Fashioner now of Heaven’s fabric,/the majesty of his might and his mind’s wisdom,/…/How he the Lord of Glory everlasting,/… He’s praising God and all of his well-doings for us as a whole.
What themes and techniques do poems of the Anglo-Saxon period have in common with heroic narratives like Beowulf?
Some themes that poems from both the Anglo-Saxon period and heroic narratives like Beowulf have in common are quests, battles, and things having to do with God. These are just the most common themes used. Some techniques that they both use in their poems are the use of kennings, which are used to describe an object or such, without using the exact word, and alliteration. Again, these are more commonly used.
Some themes that poems from both the Anglo-Saxon period and heroic narratives like Beowulf have in common are quests, battles, and things having to do with God. These are just the most common themes used. Some techniques that they both use in their poems are the use of kennings, which are used to describe an object or such, without using the exact word, and alliteration. Again, these are more commonly used.
Problem-Solution Essay
Our world is overheating. Temperatures are rising, polar ice caps are melting, and storms are becoming stronger and fiercer. But why is this exactly? Did we, the human population, turn the Earth’s heater on? Are we the sole cause of the devastation that is slowly but surely creeping upon us? Different people have different opinions on this matter(Global Warming Facts).
According to a report by the IPCC, yes, it is very likely that we’ve caused global warming. In some areas, such as Alaska and Asia, average temperatures have warmed by over 4°C (Robinson, 181). Increased water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide have all played an important role in the rising of Earth’s temperature (Global Warming Fast Facts). Some of this is caused by the use of vehicles that emit fumes into the atmosphere from the gasoline that we use. Other causations are radiation, population, and the release of methane, just to name a few.
Some may ask why global warming is such a huge concern all of a sudden. Well, it’s always been a huge concern, yet people are still unaware as to how we’re killing the Earth and may eventually be the cause of our own extinction. If we’re not the sole cause of global warming, we are a main benefactor(Nisbet, 2007).
Others say that this is just normal. We’ve been through the Ice Age and beyond. This is just another challenge we’ll have to go through. These people are most likely the ones who are only contributing negative items and such to the community. The ones who don’t separate the trash and recyclables, the ones who use diesel gasoline, the ones who pollute many different gases into the atmosphere.
Some say that one way to fix this problem is to stop emitting gases into the atmosphere, thus making global warming abruptly stop. Yes, if we do this, global warming will stop, but not abruptly. These toxins will still be in the air, keeping the Earth’s temperature high, yet will eventually lessen over the course of a few years. Also, this solution wouldn’t be that easy. It would take years for everything piece of machinery and technology to completely pollution-free and run by something harmless to the atmosphere, like air. Gases emitted into the Earth’s atmosphere will never completely disappear, due to emissions like carbon dioxide from plants and trees. So yes, even if we were able to find a way to stop emitting harmful toxins into the air ourselves, there are still the plants that will do that job for us, yet they wouldn’t be able to do as good a job as we did.
The best solution for global warming would be to gradually decrease our use of polluting machinery and such, while increasing the use of machinery such as hybrids and solar-powered energy. Once we are able to get this going, more people would be accustomed to the new ways and would maybe even prefer the newer, more efficient products. If we could get this going, slowly but surely, the Earth’s temperature would start to gradually decrease over a course of some decades.
Some acts are already being taken in order for the environment to be more eco-friendly. Hybrids are becoming more popular, plastics are becoming more eco-friendly, and solar-powered panels are becoming more efficiently used. If more people are made aware of the threats that can and will partake if we don’t change our ways, we’d be able to become more eco-friendly as a whole. These are the things that need to be done in order to keep the Earth from getting too hot. Yes, global warming is bound to happen sooner or later again, but we have the responsibility to make it happen later rather than sooner.
Works Cited
Global Warming Facts .info. Web. 03 Mar. 2010..
"Global Warming Fast Facts." Daily Nature and Science News and Headlines National
Geographic News. Web. 03 Feb. 2010. _2.html>.
"PowerSearch." GaleNet. Web. 03 Mar. 2010.
_LIST&qrySerId=Locale%28en%2C%2C%29%3AFQE%3D%28ke%2CNone%2C14%29global+warming24&sgHitCountType=None&inPS=true&sort=Relevance&searchType
BasicSearchForm&tabID=T001&prodId=IPS&searchId=R1¤tPosition=1&userGroup
Name=jeff53810&docId=CX3408000154&docType=EBKS&contentSet=EBKS>.
"PowerSearch." GaleNet. Web. 04 Mar. 2010.
contentSet=EBKS&resultListType=RESULT _LIST&qrySerId=Locale%28en%2C%2C%29%3AFQE%3D%28ke%2CNone%2C14%29global+wa rming%
24&sgHitCountType=None&inPS=true&sort=Relevance&searchType=BasicSearch Form&tabID=T001&prodId=IPS&searchId=R1¤tPosition=11&userGroupName
=jeff53810&docId=CX3079000213&docType=EBKS&contentSet=EBKS>.
According to a report by the IPCC, yes, it is very likely that we’ve caused global warming. In some areas, such as Alaska and Asia, average temperatures have warmed by over 4°C (Robinson, 181). Increased water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide have all played an important role in the rising of Earth’s temperature (Global Warming Fast Facts). Some of this is caused by the use of vehicles that emit fumes into the atmosphere from the gasoline that we use. Other causations are radiation, population, and the release of methane, just to name a few.
Some may ask why global warming is such a huge concern all of a sudden. Well, it’s always been a huge concern, yet people are still unaware as to how we’re killing the Earth and may eventually be the cause of our own extinction. If we’re not the sole cause of global warming, we are a main benefactor(Nisbet, 2007).
Others say that this is just normal. We’ve been through the Ice Age and beyond. This is just another challenge we’ll have to go through. These people are most likely the ones who are only contributing negative items and such to the community. The ones who don’t separate the trash and recyclables, the ones who use diesel gasoline, the ones who pollute many different gases into the atmosphere.
Some say that one way to fix this problem is to stop emitting gases into the atmosphere, thus making global warming abruptly stop. Yes, if we do this, global warming will stop, but not abruptly. These toxins will still be in the air, keeping the Earth’s temperature high, yet will eventually lessen over the course of a few years. Also, this solution wouldn’t be that easy. It would take years for everything piece of machinery and technology to completely pollution-free and run by something harmless to the atmosphere, like air. Gases emitted into the Earth’s atmosphere will never completely disappear, due to emissions like carbon dioxide from plants and trees. So yes, even if we were able to find a way to stop emitting harmful toxins into the air ourselves, there are still the plants that will do that job for us, yet they wouldn’t be able to do as good a job as we did.
The best solution for global warming would be to gradually decrease our use of polluting machinery and such, while increasing the use of machinery such as hybrids and solar-powered energy. Once we are able to get this going, more people would be accustomed to the new ways and would maybe even prefer the newer, more efficient products. If we could get this going, slowly but surely, the Earth’s temperature would start to gradually decrease over a course of some decades.
Some acts are already being taken in order for the environment to be more eco-friendly. Hybrids are becoming more popular, plastics are becoming more eco-friendly, and solar-powered panels are becoming more efficiently used. If more people are made aware of the threats that can and will partake if we don’t change our ways, we’d be able to become more eco-friendly as a whole. These are the things that need to be done in order to keep the Earth from getting too hot. Yes, global warming is bound to happen sooner or later again, but we have the responsibility to make it happen later rather than sooner.
Works Cited
Global Warming Facts .info. Web. 03 Mar. 2010.
"Global Warming Fast Facts." Daily Nature and Science News and Headlines National
Geographic News. Web. 03 Feb. 2010. _2.html>.
"PowerSearch." GaleNet. Web. 03 Mar. 2010.
BasicSearchForm&tabID=T001&prodId=IPS&searchId=R1¤tPosition=1&userGroup
Name=jeff53810&docId=CX3408000154&docType=EBKS&contentSet=EBKS>.
"PowerSearch." GaleNet. Web. 04 Mar. 2010.
contentSet=EBKS&resultListType=RESULT _LIST&qrySerId=Locale%28en%2C%2C%29%3AFQE%3D%28ke%2CNone%2C14%29global+wa rming%
24&sgHitCountType=None&inPS=true&sort=Relevance&searchType=BasicSearch Form&tabID=T001&prodId=IPS&searchId=R1¤tPosition=11&userGroupName
=jeff53810&docId=CX3079000213&docType=EBKS&contentSet=EBKS>.
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